A real intensity to the play today, that performance must have been really pleasing?

Of course very pleased, we knew we had to react today for ourselves and everyone connected to the club, the way we did it was really good. Happy with the win and three points but I’m more pleased with the manner in which we did it. This is the way we can go forward, we’re pleased with the win but our task is not done yet. We had a good feeling from the first minute. A big win at home and the guys were really happy, but they know this game is done now and we look forward to Wednesday.

It has been said John Lundstram isn’t your type of player, what did you make of his game?

No, he’s in my squad of course he is my type of player! Today was a special game after the Old Firm and we needed character after a performance like Wednesday and I knew John would bring that to the team with Ryan Jack. Those two really set the tone together with the other players.

You must be pleased with how the team reacted to pressure?

The pressure was on us as a team. The way we performed as a whole on Wednesday, not only the players but myself and the staff, we knew we had to react today and that was our only objective. The energy was there, the pressing was there, the character on the pitch was there. So you know the supporters are going to back you. It was good to show the fans a game like this.

The squad depth is looking healthy?

Today we had almost a fully fit squad. Of course, Ianis Hagi is injured and only Filip Helander needs to get minutes. Jack had minutes again and we know how important he is for the team. Steve Davis had his first few minutes of the year. Aaron Ramsey could feature as well. Looking forward, we only get fitter and better. For me, it’s quite the puzzle to pick the squad for every game but that’s the luxury you want to have.

Did you address the off-ball work ahead of this game?

We had a very important debrief from the game on Wednesday and watched it back. How we played physically, tactically but also mentally. There are so many aspects in football to get the best out of yourself. I think today we ticked all the boxes to be there and Wednesday we didn’t. That was a big wake up call for us as a team and we reacted today. When you show the way of playing we did today, you need to reach that level every game and that’s our aim.

How impressed were you with Alfredo Morelos?

We know what kind of threat he gives us upfront and we missed him for the last week. But I’m glad he is back and when we attack with his movement and ability to keep the ball, we can play off of him. Today as you said, we were playing really well not only with the ball but off the ball. I think sometimes that’s more important than when you have the ball.

Great to have Ryan Jack back?

Everyone played well, Ryan also. You need to take the criticism, everyone connected to Rangers myself included. You know it will come when you have performances like Wednesday. It’s important to also reflect on your performance and get stronger out of these moments. There’s only one thing to do, react. It’s our aim to keep the level, we don’t want to drop our standards in the coming days. We need to make sure on Wednesday it’s also there.

Important to get minutes into Aaron Ramsey?

I’m happy I could sub him, he is quality the way he trains. The level goes up when he is training. His rhythm of play isn’t as we want it to be, but every minute he plays and session he gets under his belt he will become fitter and fresher. The next days and weeks I think we will get stronger as a whole.

You must have been pleased with how your team carried out the game plan?

I was, we knew if you want to start a game well you have to have it under control. Especially when we didn’t have the ball we didn’t want to wait, we just wanted to pressurise Hearts. It takes a lot of energy but it’s all worth it once you have the result in the end especially in the first half, we were able to find the spaces behind the defence second half with the runs we had. I’m very pleased with the overall performance.

Does attention quickly turn to a busy period?

Yes, you can also sense that in the locker room. We were happy with the result but also we know that our job was done today, we reacted and got the three points. But the focus is already on Wednesday. It’s a short break but we will recover well and make sure from minute one against Hibs we have the same performance as today.